~ The "Wild About Animals Radio Show" is the REAL stock and bond market. Texas veterinarian Dr Bruce provides and promotes horse sense not nonsense when it comes to events, policies, products, procedures and opportunities affecting animals and the people who care for them. Co-host Emmi provides questions and commentary from the heart of a passionate and compassionate animal owner.

The first of a new year brings fresh resolve, change and inspiration for something new, different and BETTER. One of the things I really like about adding years to my own personal history book is the gain in appreciation I develop for the experiences I have been blessed to enjoy. Over the years, I’ve learned there are no bad experiences…either enjoy and appreciate the experience, or learn from it and avoid repeating the experience in the future. The intent of today’s show was to share some research which evolved from the troubling experience of a dog owner who had the unfortunate experience of having her dog being bitten by a rabid animal combatant. The dog had been previously vaccinated for rabies and so with a booster and at-home observation, chances of survival would be extremely good. Problem was, the dog’s rabies vaccine was due to be boostered ten days prior to presentation. Game changer. Now the dog had to be treated as an unvaccinated dog and the owner was faced with the choice of either euthanizing the dog or paying for six months of monitored confinement. Due to economic constraints, the owner chose plan A, and the dog lost his life. I would imagine that the owner felt terrible in that not only had she had to make the decision to euthanize her dog, but she had to do it as a result of having missed her dog’s rabies BOOSTER by less than two weeks! Serious consequences for a seemingly minor oversight, but that is the protocol set forth in the rabies compendium, presently. However, Michael Moore, DVM and colleagues at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab may have produced some research to change things. Dr Moore decided to investigate how the anamnestic response (the response to a booster vaccine) to a rabies vaccine post exposure differed in dogs and cats who were under a year out from their previous vaccine, and those who were weeks to months overdue for their scheduled booster prior to exposure. What he found may shake up the rabies response protocol, save more dogs and cats from euthanasia, and save pet owners from difficult and unexpected decisions.

Speaking of “shaking up”, we experience an earthquake tremor about ten minutes into the show! I’ve never experienced a tremor before, but it served as a great reminder to me to stay present, enjoy every moment and don’t worry a bit about those things out of your control. Thankfully the earth didn’t split open and I think we all recovered pretty darn quick in the studio. So a little shake, rattle and roll to kick off 2015! I’m ready! Full speed ahead! Happy New Year!

As 2014 winds down, it’s fun to reflect on the year that was. The horse racing world looked to have the second coming of Big Red as the California bred California Chrome threatened to break the Triple Crown drought, but fell just short in the Belmont. Will 2015 be the year a Triple Crown champion emerges? And how about the cat that chased the dog away from the little boy? Then there was the dog that had over 40 socks removed from his innards, a parrot that returned home after four years, speaking Spanish. The National Dog Show was front and center on Thanksgiving, and the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France brought more medals back to Aubrey, TX thanks to Tom and Mandy McCutcheon and the US Reining Team.

And in a story we continue to follow, the New York City carriage drivers are still able to work, and the mayor’s initiative to ban the carriages and reassign the drivers to electric cars, and the opposition in the city and state governments are beginning to voice their disapproval. In Venezuela, on the other hand, the government has created a shortage of necessities, even milk, which led to the closing of the Coromoto ice cream store which is in the Guinness Book of World Records for its 863 flavors. Thankfully, we in the USA bring 2014 to a close as a democracy still, where we can enjoy our animals, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…and ice cream. Happy New Year!

Not a misspelling! My friend Bob Moore joins us today with his amazing story. Bob has logged over 23,000,000 (yes, over 23 million) steps since 2006. In his mid 70’s, Bob confesses he moved to East Texas to die, and instead, he found life. Two parts of his new lease on life are the Vemma nutrition products, especially the Verve energy drink (www.drbruce.vemma.com), and his dog Daisy. Bob and Daisy walk and walk and walk. Mix with water and a low carb diet and Bob reduced his weight by over 40 lbs and has a laboratory profile found in fit forty year olds! He has become the poster “child” for senior wellness in East Texas and is just a great guy who I am really glad I’ve had some time to get to know!

So as we approach Christmas time, consider TIME. You can give your dog all the treats and goofy costumes in the world, but man, doesn’t he like that time with you more than anything? So take the guy on a walk, Be like Bob! Your horse, mine all come to the fence for a pet on the nose or neck. They too appreciate a little time. Now, a case I saw in the month of December made me think one gift most horses would appreciate would be a good dental exam and care as indicated. The poor old mare I saw was in bad shape and had been for several months as the owner sought advice and help from feed store employees and kept switching feeds to find a magic formula. Fact was, her dentition was preventing adequate mastication and an infected molar was leading to her progressive demise. And then there’s the cat. Well, cats appreciate a little time with them also, when it’s their idea. Maybe a scratching post would be a good choice for the cat in your life, and a little time, when they decide it’s time.

I think one of the things that separates our animal friends from our human friends (and family) is time. While animals definitely appreciate a schedule and routine, they make no demands (well, accept that cat, they have their ways). They appreciate when we give them our time, and with few exceptions, they reward our time with performance. Have you ever seen the retriever give it up before the thrower? A good horse responds by going and going and going, and what beats the purr and kneading of the good kitty cat who finally decides, it’s time? So as we enjoy Christmas time, perhaps we can be IN JOY more by being appreciative of the time people choose to spend with us. But if that doesn’t work, pee on the carpet and see if that doesn’t get you a little more time and attention. Merry Christmas! And thank you for your time!

We gathered at my parents’ home for Thanksgiving Day. As we are getting things ready and snacking around, my beautiful and talented baby sister rushes to the TV and. being that we are an historically football watching family, I assumed she was turning over to one of the games. Nope! Wrong! What’s this? The National Dog Show, and we ALL completely shut down, tuned-in and made our picks for Best in Show. I was fascinated that my ultra-busy, high achieving, mother of two teenage girls, MD 40 something sister NEW that the National Dog Show was being televised at prime turkey time Thanksgiving Day. How many other people new that? How many others tuned in? And then, after football, Fox has an animal adoption special Thanksgiving night!

The place and perception of animals in our society is transforming rapidly. As animals emerge from an economic asset to an emotional asset, unique opportunities appear to provide products and services previously unimaginable. How you spend your money on your animals is up to you, at least until the government mandates health care for hamsters, and it’s important YOU be happy with YOUR choices. Opinions are so strong on care and treatment, feeding, training, just every facet of the animal world seems to be one that elicits strong emotions one way or another. I am a scientist, pragmatic and somewhat skeptical. I believe in gathering data as objectively as possible and making decisions, and recommendations, based upon my interpretations of well done research. Drugs and devices get approval or rejection, for the most part, in much the same way, but research is being challenged and augmented by evidence. While reported research can certainly be tainted and far from flawless, it is generally systematically reviewed and critiqued and accepted or rejected by a group of unemotional and critical thinkers. Evidence can be held to the same or similar standards when analyzed with respect to known physical laws and processes which allow for pragmatic critique of the evidence presented. With the plethora of avenues for dissemination of information available today, it becomes even more incumbent upon each of us to take a critical look at reports on materials and methods and use our individual judgement and education in deciding what to employ in our practices and lives.

Much of the same can be said about charitable organizations. It appears to me that the website http://www.give.org does a credible job of presenting information on non-profits in numerous fields, including animal entities. While classified as non-profit, these businesses generate millions of dollars in revenues in many cases and many pay sizable salaries to employees. In my opinion, there is nothing at all wrong with this and many, many non-profit organizations fulfill vital missions of public service and job creation and efficient resource utilization. I was amazed to find several organizations which do NOT appear to be meeting the standards of give.org, but who have names very close to organizations which ARE meting the standards for give.org, and often have a wonderful reputation of service to animal and man. Be careful. Be pragmatic. Do YOUR research. Animals elicit powerful feelings from most of us, and our feelings and thoughts are what bring about our actions and results. As animals are elevated in the thoughts, and media, of our society, there will be those who attempt to prey on emotions for economic gain without production of a valuable product. Fortunately, transparency is becoming more and more demanded by our generous society, and the information is available more and more to help you make wise decisions when it comes to charitable giving.

Blessings and peace to all this holiday season. Thanks for stopping by!

So you think you might want to find a job working with animals? Maybe even “grow-up” to work in a zoo, or train dogs, or be a veterinarian?? Today’s show highlights a few entrepreneurial avenues which blended an interest in one industry with an interest in animals to create some really unique products and businesses. The Wild About Animals Radio Show has as one of its missions to inform you about people, products, procedures and events which I have personal experience with directly or through the guest host, but I also hope to inspire you to get “WILD” about creating your own life and economy. I have no experience with and this is not an endorsement of the businesses or products, but there were some new ventures which I would NEVER imagine creating, yet someone did, and they are great ideas which show how passion and thought and seeing a need and meeting it can create a business in the animal industry.
Wanna buy some pre-wash, pre-worn distressed looking jeans? Check out what Zoo Jeans is doing (actually talked about them on 15 July show)! This Japanese firm is using lions and tigers and other big cats in exhibits to distress their denim! The company then apparently donates back part of their sales to the zoo or exhibit, and to the World Wildlife Federation. Would you prefer a house with a mud room for your dog? Maybe an automatic feeder? Builders are now incorporating accommodations for pets into new homes to meet the needs of four legged family members and their owners. Trouble getting that puurrrfect pet pose for Facebook or Instagram? Bark & Co has an app to help you get your dog’s attention to the camera an instant before the shutter opens! Think the attention to dieting and nutrition are limited to targeting the 60-75% of overweight or obese humans? American pet owners spent over $26,000,000,000 ($26 Billion) on pet food with 40 % of that going towards gourmet or specialized dietary items INCLUDING breakfast items, appetizers, and weight loss formulas. With roughly an estimated 140,000,000 dogs and cats, that’s $180/ year/ pet on food, roughly $0.50 per day. Let’s say the sum total AVERAGE of the weight of all domestic dogs and cats is 20 pounds (this is my guesstimate, more cats than dogs in US, cats average 10 pounds, and I imagine the trend is toward smaller rather than larger dogs, but this is just for arguments sake) and an average daily intake of 2% body weight, 0.4 pounds or 6.4 ozs, that’s about $1.25 per pound AVERAGE pet food price people are currently paying. With corn costing $0.10 per pound wholesale and , and beef at roughly $3 per pound wholesale, it would appear the trend is toward higher priced and higher perceived value pet food, and one can only imagine that as the value of pets in families increases, so will the willingness to pay for optimum nutrition and meal experiences. Put that in your abacus and double check me on all of that!! Point being, whether your interest is nutrition, fashion or technology, the opportunity to create YOUR niche in an animal industry is as wide open today as EVER!! You can check out the links to these stories below.
But while you’re running around creating products and services for animals and their owners, DON”T LEAVE YOUR PET IN A HOT CAR OR OTHER AREA WHERE THEY CAN OVERHEAT!! Here are my notes on what to look for with heatstroke and why you need to follow up with your vet should this be a concern.

Most media will try to convince you what a mess our world and country are today. While I certainly don’t agree with all that is going on in the political environment, we are living in AMAZING AND WILD TIMES!! Gather yourself up and take a step on the journey of a lifetime, and realize, that regardless of where you live or what your area of expertise, you can make a difference in an animal’s life and they can make a difference in YOU! Thanks for stopping by!

Home builder offers pet-specific amenities
In developments from California to Florida, Standard Pacific Homes offers pet owners amenities such as step-in wash stations, automated feeders and toy cabinets for dogs and cats. According to the American Pet Products Association, 68% of Americans have pets, and the market for pet services and goods is worth $55 billion. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (tiered subscription model)/The Associated Press (7/16http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/fUxgCozYBdCHtPhKCidzanCicNNHLa?format=standard

Gourmet trends driving pet food boom
U.S. pet food sales topped $26 billion in 2013, and 40% of that went to premium products, according to Packaged Facts. Other trends in pet food include growing interest in therapeutic foods spurred by issues including pet obesity. Also on the menu are “breakfast” and “appetizer” foods, in demand from owners, who largely see pets as family members. PhysOrg.com (7/21)

BY KARISSA BELLJUL 16, 2014
Taking the perfect dog portrait is harder than you think.
For starters, getting your pooch to look at the camera long enough to get an Instagram-worthy shot can be nearly impossible, particularly if you have an extra rambunctious pup. But pet-centric startup Bark&Co has a new app to help dog lovers in their quest for the perfect canine portrait.
BarkCam is a photo-sharing app that is like a dog version of Instagram.
From

Dogs in Texas have Chagas disease parasite, study finds
Veterinarian Sarah Hamer and colleagues at Texas A&M University found that 9% of dogs tested in the state carried the Chagas disease parasite. Transmission from dogs to humans is unlikely because the disease can be spread only indirectly, through kissing bugs that must bite the dogs in early stages of the infection. The disease is more common in Latin America, and most people in the U.S. who have the illness likely contracted it in other countrieshttp://vetmed.tamu.edu/faculty/hamer-lab/projects/chagas-disease-eco-epidemiology

A Japanese jeans maker has found a new way of capitalising on zoo animals. Zoo Jeansare producing jeans “designed by dangerous animals”. Denim is wrapped around tyres, which are then thrown to the lions who enjoy ripping and biting at the material. This produces that all-important designer, distressed look.
Rather than simply being a marketing gimic, there is actually value in this from an animal welfare perspective. Involving lions and the zoo’s other large carnivores in the activity is part of what’s called environmental enrichment. This is the provision of stimuli to help improve well-being. It’s a win-win activity for many zoos, who can make alternative profits from their animals, which tend to be used to provide extra facilities for them

Independence, animals, and steroids…and amber waves of grain. The Fourth of July has become one of my favorite holidays for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the unbelievable fireworks show that goes on in my neighborhood, usually until 11 o’clock that night, and I’m talking the good stuff, too! The downside to all the shock and awe is the distress it causes for the ponies and pooches in the neighborhood, and the people that own them. I put my horses in the barn, and would turn on a radio if I had one in there. The dogs go hide and then socialize a bit once they realize it is benign noise and lights. Dr Bonnie Beaver gives some great tips for owners who have small animals that panic with uncommon noises and excitements. You can hear her short podcast as well as others at http://www.avmamedia.org. Do you find it interesting that the noises of the fireworks frighten and excite animals, yet they don’t know what a gun is, or what a bomb is, and their behavior suggests fear? Perhaps, at least in the case of dogs, the noise is painful? Where does the threat to the horse come from? onward…

As much as I enjoy the revelry around the Fourth, it is what the day represents that I become more respectful of each year. Independence, the fight of a nation for it in 1776, the fight of each person for it on a daily basis. This is why I brought up the NY City carriage horse issue earlier this year, and the Tennessee Walking Horse Soring Act issue, which is hot and heavy in Congress currently. Volatile issues in the horse and animal world, and while I do not condone nor support in any way, shape or form abusive actions towards horses or any other animal, I believe when we allow the government to dictate how an owner treats his animal or what he can do with his animal, our struggle for independence worsens. Now, when what an individual does with his/ her animal threatens or even potentially threatens the rights, safety or independence of another person, different issue. Protecting the public’ safety, our food supply, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the common good…a government’s calling. Were you to see a carriage horse with sores on it or limping through the streets, or skin and bones, would you even consider employing it’s driver for a tour? Of course not! It is in the industry’s best interest to present the public, the market, with a desirable product of high quality and be paid a fair price to do so. Would you go watch a horse show, or consider purchasing a horse, who travels with a bastardized gait accentuated by pain and abusive tactics? I hope not, but there is a segment of the population who does derive pleasure from this. That is their choice, their freedom, their independence. If they sway enough people to also enjoy their abuses, their industry will survive ( poor horses!). If other horseman and educators inform the public of the abusive nature of the few bad apples, show them a humane alternative, quit supporting the bad apples, the industry will either collapse, or adapt for its own survival. As I stated, soring or any other abusive behavior has no place in the animal world, in my opinion; however, the act of doing so provides no threat to the general public, and if the public is informed and educated that this is not a necessity to win, enjoy a horse, or make money with a horse, it will stop. If the public/ market adopts the philosophy,”If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”, we have much deeper problems as a civilized society, culture and nation.

Wanna hear my take on steroids? ha ha!! Actually, the podcast today discusses the differences between anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. As you will hear, corticosteroids are a vital treatment modality along with baths, antibiotics, and more in the fight against skin diseases in animals. These are NOT the steroids the government oversees and has had such negative publicity in sports. Anabolic steroids are the muscle building, aggression causing steroid under such scrutiny in sports and the general public. Why the difference? While I wish you a long and productive life here on Earth, what you choose to do with your body is your business, your independence, until it alters your behavior to the point that it threatens the health and well being of me, or your family, or my family, and that is why anabolics are so closely regulated, and should be. Anabolics have therapeutic value when used judiciously in animals and humans. However, they can also create uncivilized behaviors which can greatly endanger the independence of others when misused or abused. The same can be said about alcohol, narcotics, even automobiles and firearms. In horse racing, and for that matter most human sports, anabolics have the capacity to create an unfair advantage to the user(s) and thus unknowingly affect the sports wagering business. Once again, the concern is not necessarily for the adverse affects of the drug on the user, but the affect on others’ ability to make choices and participate with some degree of confidence in the fairness of competition. Fairness, civility and the protection of independence … simple principles an ethical government can administer.

So you see, our individual independence is largely about choices and consequences. As rulers remove choices, be it on your health care or your animals’ health care, your individual independence is stripped away, little by little. You begin to live with the consequences of the choices of others, rather than the consequences or results of your own choices. Independence Day. Every day, in America, provided I respect your right to independence, you respect my right to independence, and all of us respect the sacrifices made over the past 238 years by those who have fought for the independence of the United States of America. Namaste. God Bless America. Thanks for stopping by!

in·de·pend·ent
[in-di-pen-duh

nt] Show IPA
adjective
1.
not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion,conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independentthinker.
2.
not subject to another’s authority or jurisdiction; autonomous;free: an independent businessman.
3.
not influenced by the thought or action of others: independent research.
4.
not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.
5.
not relying on another or others for aid or support.
6.
rejecting others’ aid or support; refusing to be under obligation to others.
7.
possessing a competency: to be financially independent.
8.
sufficient to support a person without his having to work: an independent income.

Today’s show gets back to some medical education, but also contains a little life philosophy. “You can’t always judge a book by its cover” is a saying most all of us have heard at some time in our life. How things look on the outside may, or may not, be as they seem, and only through thorough, systematic, repetitive evaluation can we often get to the root of our problem, or the problem of our friend, loved one, or even PET! Here are my show notes on Skin Diseases. I hope these give you a little guidance in helping you help your vet help your pet. If I can help you develop a system to look beneath the surface on other issues, or with your animal, please email me at drbrucelyle@yahoo.com. Thanks for stopping by!

Interesting observation of mine over the past twenty years – MOST of the texts we study in vet school, which describe most of the disease processes, are written by people in academic surroundings. Universities have historically been the place progressed and unresolved disease processes went for further evaluation, or the disease wa allowed to progress to a point of severity that the vet or owner felt the expertise of a university was necessary. NOW, as people have become more closely associated with their animals, we are able to see and intervene much earlier in a disease process which is good in that earlier intervention can lead to better and more rapid resolution, downside is the presentation may not be at a stage typically described in the literature – THIS IS WHY DR GOOGLE STRUGGLES PRACTICING MEDICINE!!!
1. Let’s take specifically this time of year
2. What is the age of the animal?
a. Young animals/ juveniles much more likely to be parasite or genetic or diet
b. Geriatric animals – much more likely to be hormonal, allergic or recurring parasite or atopy or neoplasia
c. Middle aged animals – parasites and allergies
3. Has the animal had a similar problem previously?
4. What , if anything, has changed? Diet, location, travel, additions or subtractions from the home or environment
5. What is the diet and parasite control program currently being used?
6. What is the symmetry of the disorder?
a. Where on the body is the problem your observing located? What are the daily habits of the animal?
b. Is the problem in a focal area or is it generalized? Front or back? Top or bottom? Left and right? What is the symmetry or lack there of?
7. Is the animal “Itchy”? Scratching, biting, rubbing on stuff
8. Is there hair loss? Is there excessive hair?
9. Is the skin or affected area wet or dry?
10. Scaley, crusty, lumpy, bumpy, eroded?
11. Any other animals or people in the environment affected?

What you should expect

1. Almost 20 questions!! But I have already ruled in or ruled out a LOT!! History is ESSENTIAL!!!
2. A general physical exam and overall health assessment

1. Topical
2. BATHS!!
3. Parasite management
4. Steroids – Gonna talk a lot about this , probably quit here for this week and carry on at a later date
Ck out our website and our FB page wildaboutanimalsradioshow.com, Wild About Animals Radio Show on Facebook

Vemma for people and pets!! The most complete liquid nutritional supplement on the planet! Drbruce.vemma.com

I LOVE TUESDAYS! Monday is behind us, hump day awaits us, but best of all I get to talk healthcare and critters with some amazing people! Have you listened to the April 29 show? Our guest that day was Scott Palmer, DVM, highly regarded veterinarian and recently appointed Equine Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission, in charge of making policy and decisions for the best interest of the horses racing in New York state. THANKFULLY, Dr Palmer issued his position this week which recommended the stewards at Belmont Park allow the use of nasal strips on the horses, which means we get to see California Chrome and Dumb Ass Partners run for the third jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown three Saturdays from now! A tip of my cap to trainer Art Sherman for taking care of business and to Dr Palmer and the stewards for allowing ALL of us to watch Chrome try to break the drought of Triple Crown winners. Like a lot of things in life, IT”S TOUGH! but boy will it be worth it! Here’s hoping for a continued safe and thrilling Triple Crown pursuit!

Today’s guest was Dr Taryn Eaton from VCA Metroplex Animal Hospital in Irving, TX. One of my favorite parts of our discussion today was when I asked her if she was board certified or had any special training in imaging or ultrasound. Her answer was brilliant! She enjoyed ultrasound, she WORKED HARD to learn how to make it useful to her and her patients, doing over 200 exams just to get to a comfort zone, and now uses it everyday to benefit her patients, owners, and her business! Small animal vets use ultrasound as a non-painful, non-invasive tool to predominantly evaluate their patients’ abdomens and chests. Some disorders of the eye can best be evaluated with ultrasound, also. Maybe the biggest asset to the ultrasound exam is that it can often be done without general anesthesia and even without tranquilization! Can it be used in health screenings? Listen to what she does for her OWN dog each and every year!! What a great example of practicing what you preach! You can contact Dr Eaton at 972-438-7113!

In the horse world, ultrasound is EXTREMELY valuable. We use it very regularly to assess lower leg swellings, often resulting in reduced recovery times, to assess the chests of foals and adults to direct treatment, and of course, to monitor the heat cycle of mares and determine and monitor pregnancy status. A very common theme to both of our uses was the value ultrasound has in helping make a more timely and accurate diagnosis which leads to more focused and immediate treatment which can produce faster and more cost efficient results! And all of these uses have been developed in only the past twenty years!

Did you know a yellow ribbon on a dog’s leash is a sign that the dog does not take kindly to strangers and should NOT be petted? Don’t you wish we had a similar coding system for people!!! However, here’s a thought I have had the past few weeks, brought on by the fun I am having with a new puppy my college daughter adopted (and kinda left for Dad to take care of while she finished the semester and now is off in South Carolina riding polo ponies!) What if you approached every person you came in contact with with the same love and enthusiasm you greet your dog or cat with when you walk in the door or yard each day? I bet there would be a lot less barking and biting by the two legged animals, and who knows, you might even get a big fat sloppy face licking kiss from time to time !! Check out other tips on preventing dog bites at https://www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx?utm_content=most-viewed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=gen. Enjoy this week’s podcast and please leave a comment or topic of interest. Thanks for stopping by!

My long time friend Ashley Richardson of McKinney, TX joined me today for what I thought was to be the grand opening day of her DREAM, Castle Creek Pet Resort and Spa. Ashley comes from a family of entrepreneurs and has overcome HUGE hurdles put in place by local government to make her dream a reality, so another month delay is nothing to get this girl down! Her parents operate a very successful pipe and steel company and her brother races Nationwide Series cars and Ashley has developed her passion for dogs (AND she loves her dressage horses, too) into a very successful dog grooming business. Sassy Paws Pet Salon (www.sassypawspetsalon.com) is imaginative and innovative in its approach to meeting the grooming needs of the animal while adding the WILD SIDE of the groomer and owner team through creative clips and colorful “additions” to suit the personalities of both the dog and the owner. During our talk, she gives some great tips on frequency of grooming, whether to shear heavy coated dogs for summer, flea and tick control and heat stroke prevention, as well as talking about how and why she has turned her passion into a very successful business venture. Check out her website and schedule an appointment, and book your pet a stay at the Castle Creek Pet Resort and Spa in McKinney, TX once it opens in a few more weeks!

I follow Ashley on Facebook (you should too! Her pics of her grooming art always brighten my day!) and was very interested to see her post her displeasure with the sport of horse racing after the Kentucky Derby. I really appreciate her concern for the welfare of the horses, and recognize it is a common view shared by many, and a big reason for my doing the show and blog and podcast and all that this involves. Her displeasure arises from the perception that young horses are pushed beyond their limits for the purpose of making money for people, leading to the eventual breakdown and euthanasia of the horse. You can read my comments to her post on her FB page (i will figure out at some time how to link to it or post on the WAARS FB page!), but her concern generated several questions and views which, regardless of how you feel, I ask you to consider in forming your opinion and assessment of horse racing and animal sports in general.

Here is the question I ask in today’s show, ” In the unfortunate event of a horse suffering an irreparable lower leg fracture during a race, would you rather see the horse euthanized immediately, or would you rather see the horse transported, undergo an amputation and later be fitted with a prosthesis, allowing it an opportunity at life, though maybe not an entirely “normal” life?” Would it matter to you if the horse stood at stud (male) or entered a broodmare band (female) to reproduce and potentially generate revenue for the owner, and for the care of the horse? Oh, by the way, amputations and prosthetics for horses are successfully performed in some instances now, though the success rate is certainly not 100%.

I look forward to reading your comments and opinions. I will write a little more as feedback comes through, and remember, there is no right or wrong answer. We all have our own set of beliefs and I hope the discussion can lead all of us to a better understanding of each of us! Have a WILD week!! Thanks for stopping by!

I never will forget sitting in front of the old RCA in 1973 and watching the legendary Secretariat smoke the field by over 30 lengths at Belmont Park to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. There have been only two since, none since Affirmed in 1978. That performance sticks in my mind over forty years later, as an avid sports fan, as the most impressive athletic accomplishment and shear domination I believe I have ever seen. THAT is the athlete I chose to take care of by becoming a veterinarian.

Horse racing may be the most scrutinized sport in this country, and in fact, with exception of the Triple Crown series and the Breeder’s Cup events, little exposure is given the sport and its participants aside from issues involving abuses of horses, people, medication or the “system”. Today I was joined on the show by Dr Scott Palmer, newly appointed Equine Veterinary Medical Director for the New York State Gaming Commission. The past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioneers shared how his 38 years as an advocate for the welfare of the race horse and his involvement in organized veterinary medicine led him to this position, and we talked candidly about the role new diagnostics and technologies can play in allowing a horse to compete, at the top of his or her game, pain free and with a minimal amount of risk to horse or rider. The passion for excellence, the compassion for the equine athlete, and the desire for a thriving racing industry were all present as he discussed his vision for the future of racing. But it was the last two minutes of our talk I hope you listen to.

I asked Dr Palmer to share what keeps him awake at night and what keeps him excited about getting to work each morning. He said, ” I have not found worrying to be a very productive human endeavor, but I do keep a notepad by the bed to write down all the ideas that come to me to help make racing safer for horses”. Life lesson…STOP WORRYING, START DOING!! His answer to the second question literally made my spine tingle with pride and enthusiasm. You’ll have to listen to get the full effect, but when you can greet each day BELIEVING what you do will have a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of animals and millions of people, your nights are always too long, and your days way too short! There are opportunities in every corner of the horse world and the animal world as a whole to allow YOU to feel the passion, and join us in being Wild About Animals!

Enjoy the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Say a prayer for the safe journey for all involved, but fully take in all that the race embodies and represents, and know there are very, very good people working to make the most exciting two minutes in sports even greater, safer, and more exciting than ever!

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.~ Arabian Proverb

Farm owner Judy Sirbasku and Manager Shawn Crews were surprised and honored to be the recipients of the 2014 Ambassador Award at this weekend’s Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas!

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Horses are also likely to have what science has identified as a “coherent” heart rhythm (heart rate pattern) which explains why we may “feel better” when we are around them. . . .studies have found that a coherent heart pattern or HRV is a robust measure of well-being and consistent with emotional states of calm and joy–that is, we exhibit such patterns when we feel positive emotions.

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EPA: Some flea and tick collars pose danger to children
An Environmental Protection Agency report warns that propoxur, a flea-killing chemical in flea collars marketed by Sergeant’s Pet Care Products and Wellmark International, is unsafe for children. However, the products can be distributed until two years from now, and retailers can continue to sell them after that until their stock is gone. Veterinary dermatologist Daniel Morris says there are safer products available and urges owners to consult with their veterinarian to determine the best approach. The Philadelphia Inquirer (4/13)

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NYC horse carriage drivers relieved after Mayor de Blasio delays ban
De Blasio admitted he likely won’t get around to his pet project of banning horse-drawn carriages until the end of the year, taking a giant step back from his campaign promise that he would put an end to the iconic industry as soon as he took office. More.

Courtesy of www.nydailynews.com.

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Bundy ranch – 2 wrongs don’t make a right! – A commentary on the situation involving free grazing, desert turtles and the invasion by the BLM. I wonder if all this transpires if Mr Bundy would have paid his land use fees? On the other hand, it must not have been important to the US government until Mr Reid decided he needed some land. Two wrongs obviously don’t make a right!